Ophthalmic instrument

Abstract

The present invention provides for a squeeze handle for an ophthalmic instrument having elongate body with resiliently-biased squeeze elements, wherein a conduit is provided within the elongate body to allow for fluid communication between an opening provided in an outer wall of elongate body and a tool to be in operative engagement with the handle and the squeeze elements, and to a related method of cleaning an ophthalmic instrument having resiliently biased squeeze elements on an elongate handle body, and including the steps of introducing, by way of an opening provided in an outer wall of the elongate body, fluid under pressure into a conduit provided within the elongate body; and allowing for flow of the fluid along the conduit to a tool in operative engagement with the elongate handle and squeeze elements; for cleaning the tool.

1 . A squeeze handle for an ophthalmic instrument and having an elongate body with resiliently-biased squeeze elements, wherein a conduit is provided within the elongate body to allow for fluid communication between an opening in an outer wall of the elongate body and a tool of the instrument when in operative engagement with the handle and the squeeze elements. 
     
     
         2 . The squeeze handle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the opening is provided in a region of an end of the elongate body to be distal the tool. 
     
     
         3 . The squeeze handle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the conduit extends along at least the substantial length of the elongate body. 
     
     
         4 . The squeeze handle of  claim 1 , wherein the opening has an engagement formation configured to engage with an output of a fluid delivery arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . The squeeze handle of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is configured to deliver fluid to within at least part of the tool of the instrument. 
     
     
         6 . The squeeze handle of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is configured to be contiguous with, and deliver fluid to, a conduit within the tool of the instrument. 
     
     
         7 . The squeeze handle of  claim 6 , wherein the conduit in the body is configured to be coaxial with the conduit within the tool of the instrument. 
     
     
         8 . The squeeze handle of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body is arranged for replaceable mounting of another tool. 
     
     
         9 . The squeeze handle of  claim 1 , wherein the tool is integral with the elongate body. 
     
     
         10 . The squeeze handle of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes means for receiving a cleaning fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The squeeze handle of  claim 10 , wherein the means for receiving the cleaning fluid includes means for receiving cleaning fluid to flush the instrument. 
     
     
         12 . The squeeze handle of  claim 1 , including means for receiving a fluid substance and means for delivering the fluid substance via the instrument into a patient's eye. 
     
     
         13 . The squeeze handle of  claim 1 , including a tool mount portion in fluid communication with the elongate body for receiving the tool. 
     
     
         14 . The squeeze handle of  claim 13 , wherein at least part of the tool mount portion is movable relative to the elongate body for actuation of the tool. 
     
     
         15 . The squeeze handle of  claim 13 , wherein the tool mount portion is a unitary member arranged to be movable relative to the elongate body for actuation of the tool. 
     
     
         16 . The squeeze handle of in  claim 13 , wherein the tool mount is received in the conduit of the elongate body and itself has a conduit in communication with the conduit of the elongate body to define a passage for fluid to the tool. 
     
     
         17 . The squeeze handle of  claim 16 , including means for securing of the tool to the tool mount or elongate body and within the passage to allow for relative movement between the tool and at least part of the tool mount. 
     
     
         18 . The squeeze handle of  claim 1 , wherein a width of a path for the fluid communication decreases at least once in the direction of fluid flow. 
     
     
         19 . The squeeze handle of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one decrease in the path width is in the region of the tool. 
     
     
         20 . A method of cleaning an ophthalmic instrument having resiliently biased squeeze elements on an elongate handle body, the method including:
 a. introducing, by way of an opening provided in an outer wall of the elongate body, fluid under pressure into a conduit provided within the elongate body; and,   b. allowing for flow of the fluid along the conduit to a tool in operative engagement with the elongate handle and squeeze elements; for   c. cleaning the tool.   
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , including directing the fluid introduced into the conduit into an inner part of the tool. 
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , including flushing the tool by way of the fluid. 
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , including mounting the ophthalmic instrument by way of the opening in the elongate body onto a fluid delivery arrangement. 
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , including mounting the ophthalmic instrument onto a nozzle of a fluid delivery arrangement. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , including forming at least part of an automated cleaning process. 
     
     
         26 . A method for the introduction of a fluid substance into a patient's eye, by way of an ophthalmic instrument having resiliently biased squeeze elements on an elongate handle body and including:
 a. introducing, by way of an opening provided in an outer wall of the elongate body, the fluid substance into a conduit provided within the elongate body; and,   b. allowing for flow of the fluid along the conduit to a tool in operative engagement with the elongate handle and squeeze elements; for   c. delivery of the fluid substance to the patient's eye via the tool.   
     
     
         27 . An ophthalmic instrument fluid introduction apparatus, including:
 a squeeze handle having an elongate body with resiliently-biased squeeze elements, wherein a conduit is provided within the elongate body to allow for fluid communication between an opening in an outer wall of the elongate body and a tool of the instrument when in operative engagement with the handle and the squeeze elements; and   a fluid delivery mechanism having at least one nozzle arrange to engage with the opening in the body of the squeeze handle.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one nozzle is arranged for mounting of the ophthalmic instrument within the apparatus. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , including a plurality of nozzles for receipt of a plurality of ophthalmic instruments. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , including a housing within which the nozzles are located. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , arranged with control functionality allowing for an at least part-automated cleaning process.